The most ironic phenomenon in the crypto world, I've seen plenty of — those who boast as "market experts" and were showing off double-digit gains at the beginning of the year, only to fall silent by year's end. Meanwhile, the old players who seem calm and cautious, with more moderate operations, quietly hit new account highs without much fuss.

Is there a logic behind this? Yes. The market is the ultimate cure for impatience. Those who desperately want to hit it big in one shot, go all-in, and bet everything tend to chase the market when it’s slightly playful, buying high and selling low, adding to their positions, holding on stubbornly, or leveraging more, only to sink deeper over time.

**Why is it so hard to make quick money?**

The volatility of the crypto market is a double-edged sword. Because a single day can tell a year's worth of stories, many people can't sit still and want to trade every minute. But the problem is — data shows that short-term trading success rates are actually frighteningly low.

I've seen people using complex algorithms for high-frequency trading, and others glued to their screens chasing hot topics day and night. How does that work? Transaction fees eat up most of the profits, and a wrong move in timing can get you caught. The biggest cost in crypto isn't time or opportunity, but the tuition paid for reckless operations.

Conversely, why do those who seem "dumber" make steady gains? Simple — they don’t deceive themselves into thinking they can predict short-term trends, so they just keep it straightforward and don’t fuss.

**Two bottom lines I’ve summarized over the years**

Long- and medium-term investing isn’t about fancy tricks; at its core, it’s just two things: buy slowly when prices are low, and hold patiently when prices rise.

How to implement this? Remember these two ironclad rules. First, always keep cash on hand. Second, never go all-in regardless of the situation. As long as you have bullets left, any volatility is no big deal — it’s actually an opportunity to buy at lower prices.